Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Quarterly Data
The balance sheet provides creditors, investors, and analysts with information on company resources (assets) and its sources of capital (its equity and liabilities). It normally also provides information about the future earnings capacity of a company assets as well as an indication of cash flows that may come from receivables and inventories.
Liabilities represents obligations of a company arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow of economic benefits from the entity.
AT&T Inc., consolidated balance sheet: liabilities and stockholders’ equity (quarterly data)
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
An examination of the provided financial information reveals notable shifts in the company’s liabilities and stockholders’ equity over the observed period, spanning from March 2021 to December 2025. Overall, a considerable degree of fluctuation is apparent, particularly in the current liability and stockholders’ equity sections. A significant restructuring appears to have occurred around the period of June 2022, followed by a period of relative stabilization and then further changes into 2024 and 2025.
- Current Liabilities
- Current liabilities exhibited a general increase from March 2021 (US$76.608 billion) to June 2021 (US$82.126 billion), remaining relatively high through December 2021 (US$85.588 billion). A substantial decrease is then observed in the following period, falling to US$49.189 billion by June 2022. This decline continued through the remainder of 2022, before a moderate increase through 2023 and into 2024. By December 2025, current liabilities stood at US$53.780 billion, indicating a partial recovery but remaining below the levels seen in 2021. Within current liabilities, debt maturing within one year showed a similar pattern of initial stability, a sharp decline around June 2022, and subsequent fluctuations, ending at US$9.011 billion in December 2025. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities remained a significant component, fluctuating between approximately US$33 billion and US$50 billion throughout the period.
- Noncurrent Liabilities
- Noncurrent liabilities demonstrated more stability than current liabilities, though still exhibiting changes. From March 2021 (US$287.298 billion) to December 2021 (US$282.179 billion), a slight decrease was observed. A more pronounced decrease occurred through June 2022 (US$241.937 billion), followed by a gradual increase through December 2023. By December 2025, noncurrent liabilities reached US$237.926 billion. Long-term debt, excluding maturing within one year, constituted the largest portion of noncurrent liabilities, fluctuating significantly, particularly with a substantial decrease between 2021 and 2022, and then a period of relative stability. Deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities also remained a substantial component, showing a similar pattern of decline and stabilization.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Total stockholders’ equity experienced a decline from March 2021 (US$183.079 billion) to June 2022 (US$135.307 billion). A recovery was then observed through December 2023, reaching US$117.442 billion. By December 2025, stockholders’ equity stood at US$126.491 billion. Retained earnings (deficit) played a significant role in this fluctuation, moving from a positive US$41.154 billion in March 2021 to a deficit of -US$5.015 billion by December 2023, before recovering to US$15.768 billion by December 2025. Additional paid-in capital remained relatively stable, while treasury stock consistently represented a negative value, increasing in magnitude over the period. Noncontrolling interest also fluctuated, with a notable increase in the latter part of the observed period.
- Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
- The combined total of liabilities and stockholders’ equity mirrored the trends observed in its components. A relatively stable position was maintained through December 2021, followed by a significant decrease in the first half of 2022. A gradual recovery occurred through 2023 and 2024, with a slight increase observed into December 2025, reaching US$420.198 billion. The substantial changes in both liabilities and equity contributed to the overall fluctuation in this total.
In summary, the period under review was marked by a significant restructuring of the company’s balance sheet, particularly concerning its liabilities. The substantial decrease in both current and noncurrent liabilities around June 2022 suggests a deliberate effort to reduce debt or restructure financial obligations. The subsequent recovery in stockholders’ equity, driven by improvements in retained earnings, indicates a potential stabilization of the company’s financial position. Continued monitoring of these trends will be crucial to assess the long-term implications of these changes.